Dough-sheeting machine.



Patented June 13, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY rm: "mam: mrrsws co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

J. J. LINDEN DOUGH SHEETING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1909.RENEWED APR. 20, 1911.

Patented June 13, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

7H5 NORRIS PETERS 6a., wAsHlNc'roN, n. c

JOHN J". LTNDEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE J. H. DAY COMPANY,OF

CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

DOUGH-SHEETING MACHINE.

Application filed June 30, 1909, Serial No. 505,123.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. LINDEN, a citizen of the United States,residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented a new and useful Dough- Sheeting Machine, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in dough-sheeting machines, theobject, in general, being to produce a machine at once simple andefficient for the purpose. In such machines the great defect has beenuneven rolling of the dough.

The main aim of the present invention is to insure evenness of rolling,to prevent the dough adhering to the roller, to smooth the surface andto close up the pores of the sheet of dough.

It may be premised that the invention relates to a sheeting machine inwhich a roller moves back and forth over a bed, the dough being carriedalong over the bed by a traveling apron. I secure evenness of rolling bycausing the roller to roll along on the dough, exerting substantiallyconstant pressure on the dough during such rolling movement; and Iprevent the dough sticking to the roller and being pushed back, on thereturn or inoperative stroke, by causing the roller to be elevatedduring this movement.

The invention consists, primarily, in a sheeting roller, a pair ofoscillatory arms for moving said roller back and forth, and means, ascam mechanism, whereby the roller is elevated on the inoperative strokeand lowered on the operative or rolling stroke. Preferably, the bedbeneath the roller is arched, substantially on an are concentric withthe pivotal axis of the oscillatory arms, whereby the roller, during itsoperative stroke, bears with constant pressure on the dough.

The invention also relates to a flour box carried by said arms over saidroller, to oscillate with the arms and roller. Preferably, the aproncarrying the dough over the bed beneath the roller is caused to travelin a step-by-step manner, traveling forward on the inoperative stroke ofthe arms and roller, and remaining stationary during the rolling oroperative stroke.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1911. Renewed April 20, 1911. Serial No. 622,327.

The invention also comprises certain other features of construction,which will be described and claimed hereinafter,particularly means foradjusting the relation between the roller and bed, and means for quickly{)aising and lowering the table carrying the Another difficulty,heretofore experienced in such machines, is the clogging of the feedrolls ip the dough box. This clogging is due to the entrance of doughand other materials fed from the box between the ends of the rolls andthe side walls of the box, where, particularly after the machine hasstood idle for a time, such material thickens and solidifies,' thusretarding or entirely stopping the action of the rolls.

It is another object of this invention to relieve this difliculty byproviding lubricating devices having their discharge openings extendedthrough the walls of the dough box against the ends of the rolls within.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machineembodying the improvements, Fig. 2 is an elevation of the other side ofthe machine, Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33, Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrow, and Fig. 4: is a section on the line M, Fig. 1.

Referring now to these views, the numeral 1 designates any suitableframe or supporting structure, 2 a suitable hopper or dough box, havingsuitable feeding rolls 3 therein, 4: a table supported by the frame andhaving an idler roller 6 at its front end, 7 an endless conveyer orapron, passing around driving roller or pulley 8, said roller 6, overidler 9, and about idlers 10 and 11 of a belt-tightener 12. The feedingrolls 3 are operated from an oscillatory shaft 13, having a variablecrank 14, through links 15, pawls 16, a ratchet-wheel 17 on the shaft ofone of said rolls, and meshing gears 18 mounted on the shafts of the tworolls. The driving roller 8 is given a stepby-step motion by means of areciprocatory link 19, an oscillatory, variable-throw arm 20, a pawl 21,and a ratchet-wheel 22. A flour box 23 may be attached to the rearportion of the frame to dust the upper surface of the apron.

A novel feature of the machine which may be described at this point isthe provision for lubricating the ends of the feed rolls 3. Openings 24are preferably formed through the side walls of the dough box 2 oppositethe ends of the rolls, and devices, as lubricating cups 25, are mountedon the outside of the box to discharge lubricant through said openingsagainst the ends of the rolls. The lubricant, such as lard, may beforced against the rolls from time to time, by screwing down the caps 26or otherwise applying pressure to the contents. I regard it as broadlynew in a dough feed box, having coacting rolls therein, to providelubricating devices adapted to admit lubricant between the ends of therolls and the side walls of the box.

Coming now to the most important part of the invention, the numeral 30indicates two upward extending arms, preferably disposed one at eachside of the table 4, and mounted for oscillation, as by being secured toahollow oscillatory shaft 29. Naturally, any suitable means may beemployed for oscillating these arms. According to the illustration, oneof the arms 30 is provided with an extension 32 below the shaft 31, anda link 33 connects this extension with the face of an eccentric 34mounted on a main driving shaft 35. An idler sheeting roller 36 iscarried by said arms 30, over the table 4 and apron -7, being mountedfor movement up and down on said arms. A convenient expedient is to passthe journal portions 37 of said roller through slotted openings 38 inthe upper parts of said arms, the journal portions 37 being desirablyreceived in journal boxes 44 slidable in said slotted openings 38.Suitable mechanism for causing said roller 36 to reciprocate up and downon the arms 30 includes cams 39, which maybe revoluble as by beingsecured to revoluble shaft 31 within shaft 29, and connecting pushrods4O. Said rods 40 may be provided on their lower ends with anti-frictionrollers 41 for contact with the peripheries of said cams, and at theirupper ends may move the roller 36 by-being secured-to the roller'boxes44. The rods 40 are preferably carried by the arms 30,.passing throughguide portions 42 thereon. Preferably, springs 43 are provided forurging the roller 36 downward and for applying the proper pressure tothe dough. They maybear against the upper sides of said slidable boxes:44, and their tension may be-adjusted, as by screws 45. The

, shaft 31 and the cams 39 may be revolved by means of sprockets 63, 64,and chain 65. The actuating parts are so arranged and timed that theroller 36 is held elevated during the return stroke, and is lowered forthe rolling stroke. It is-also arranged so that the apron -7 will beadvanced during the inoperative -or rearward movement of the roller 36andheld stationaryduring the forward or rolling movement of said roller.

' bility The link 19 of the apron-actuating mechanism may be connectedto the extension 32. Also, the oscillatory shaft 13 may be actuated bythe eccentric 34, eccentric strap 46, rod 47, and vious that theparticular gearing arrangements are immaterial.

The numeral-49 designates an arched bed, preferably carried by or partof the table 4, directly above which bed the roller 36 has its path oftravel. The arc of this bed is substantially concentric with the axis ofoscillation of the arms 30.

I provide a stop for adjustably limiting the extent of downward movementof the roller 36, so as to adjust the pressure exerted by the roller onthe dough upon the apron. This stop may be a nut 50, threaded on rod 40,so as to be adjustable up and down thereon, and adapted to contact withthe upper surface of the portion 42 of the arm 30. Preferably, there isa nut 50 on each rod 40. I prefer to provide a second relativeadjustment between the roller 36 on the one hand and the bed 49 andapron 7 on the other, by raising the bed up and down. This is desirablyefiected by a supporting rod extending transversely beneath the table 4,as indicated at the same being mounted on blocks 56, which are slidablebackward and forward by means of screws 57 swiveled in brackets 58 onthe sides of the frame 1. Since the table 4 is inclined to the directionof movement of the rod 55, adjustment of the rod backward raises the bedslightly, whereas adjustment forward permits the bed to sink slightly.The table is mounted pivotally on the frame 1, preferably by means of apivot connection 5. Of course, this raising and lowering of the tableshifts the bed 49 slightly out of concentricity with the shaft 29, butthe pivot 5 is so remote from the bed 49 that this displacement fromconcentricity is negligible. I wish to call attention to an importantphase of this part of the invention, which is that-the fine adjustingand sustaining mechanism, preferably embodied in the parts 55, 56 and57, affords means for elfecting transverse angular adjustment of the bed49. Since the blocks 56 and screws 57 are, practically speaking,independent, one block may be adjusted farther backward or forward thanthe other, whereby one side of the table 4, and consequently of the bed49, is raised higher than the other, or vice-versa. For this purpose thetable 4 is made comparatively flexible, as sheet iron. The longitudinaledges of the table may be strengthened by angle irons or flanges :70. Iregard independent adjusting and sustaining devices for angularlyadjusting the bed laterally in either direction, as

broadly new. The importance of this capaof the machine is that the bed49 may be adjusted with reference to the roller crank-arm 48. But itwill be ob- 36, so that the sheet of dough passing away from the rolleris exactly as thick at one side as the other. Thus when this sheetpasses to the opposed rolls of a cutting machine, for example, one sideof the sheet will not pass through the rolls slower or faster than theother side. The rod 55 also serves as a reinforce to sustain the bed 49and table 4, under the pressure of the roller 36.

A feature of the invention is a flour box or trough 51 carried by theoscillatory arms 30 directly over the roller 36 to oscillate therewith.I am of course aware that flour boxes for dusting purposes are common,but not, I believe, mounted in this fashion. The box may be secured to arod 52 rigidly secured to the arms 30; and its open bottom ispractically filled by the roller 36. Preferably, a scraper 53 is alsocarried by the arms to cooperate with the roller 36 at the back thereof,being conveniently secured to the same rod 52. A valuable and novelfeature is the provision on this oscillatory box 51 of an upward andforward inclined or curved guard-plate 54 carried by the back of thebox. This guard plate prevents flour intended to be thrown into the boxwhile in motion from being thrown over the box onto the apron and doughbehind, and also returns back into the box such flour as may be dashedup by the movement thereof.

A minor but valuable feature of the invention resides in a toggle devicefor quickly lowering the table 4 and bed 49 entirely out of operativerelation to the roller 36, and for restoring it to position whendesired. This device comprises, preferably, a shaft 59, journaled in theframe 1, with hand-wheel 60, crank-arm 61, and link 62, pivoted to thecrank-arm and to the table. It is desirable that the crank-arm 61 andlink 62 be duplicated for the two sides of the machine. Naturally, therod 55 is removed from the blocks 56, before the bed is lowered by meansof the toggle device.

What I claim as new is 1. In a dough-sheeting machine, a frame orsupport, oscillatory arms mounted thereon by fixed pivotal connection,mechanism for oscillating said arms, a sheeting roller carried by saidarms to be moved back and forth thereby, and mechanism for moving saidroller up and down with respect to said arms, whereby said roller islowered for one stroke and elevated for the reverse stroke.

2. In a dough-sheeting machine, a frame or support, a bed, oscillatoryarms mounted on said support by fixed pivotal connection below said bed,mechanism for oscillating said arms, a sheeting roller carried by theupper parts of said arms to be moved thereby back and forth over saidbed, and mechanism for moving said roller up and down with respect tosaid arms, whereby said on by fixed pivotal connection, mechanism foroscillating said arms, a sheeting roller carried by said arms to bemoved back and forth thereby, mechanism for moving said roller up anddown with respect to said arms, whereby said roller is lowered for onestroke and elevated for the reverse stroke, and resilient means tendingto force said roller downward.

5. In a dough-sheeting machine, a frame or support, oscillatory armsmounted thereon by fixed pivotal connection, mechanism for oscillatingsaid arms, a sheeting roller carried by said arms to be moved back andforth thereby, and mechanism for moving said roller up and down withrespect to said arms, whereby said roller is lowered for one stroke andelevated for the reverse stroke, said roller being mounted in said armsin slidable bearings.

6. In a dough-sheeting machine, a sheet ing roller, means for moving thesame back and forth, a flounbox mounted thereover to travel therewith,and an upward and forward directed guard plate carried by the back ofsaid box and extending over the open top thereof.

7. In a dough-sheeting machine, an oscillatory sheeting roller,oscillatory arms for oscillating said roller, means for reciprocatingsaid roller up and down, and a bed disposed beneath said roller forcooperation with the same, having an arcuate surface.

8. In a dough-sheeting machine, an oscillatory sheeting roller,oscillatory arms for oscillating said roller, means for reciproeatingsaid roller up and down, and an arched bed disposed beneath said rollerfor cooperation with the same.

9. In a dough-sheeting machine, in conjunction with a bed, oscillatoryarms, a roller carried by said arms to beoscillated thereby back andforth over said bed, cam mechanism, whereby said roller is maintainedelevated for one stroke and lowered for the other stroke, and anadjustable stop for limiting the downward movement of said roller.

10. In a dough-sheeting machine, in conjunction with a sheeting roller,a frame, a table pivoted thereto and presenting a bed beneath the rollerremote from the pivot,

said table being comparatively flexible, blocks mounted on the frame formovement forward and backward beneath opposite sides of said bed, a rodfor sustaining said bed mounted atits ends on said blocks but permittingindependent forward and backward movement thereof, and independentadjusting screws connected with said blocks, whereby movement of theblocks in one direction raises the bed and movement in the oppositedirection lowers the same, and movement of one effects angularadjustment of the bed.

11. In a dough-sheeting machine, a frame or support, a bed pivotallysupported thereby for movement up and down, a rod disposed transverselybeneath said bed and upon which said bed rests, movable blocks mountedon said support and carrying said rod, and means for adjusting saidblocks back and forth in a direction at a slight angle to thecooperating under surface of I said bed, said rod being removable fromsaid blocks, whereby the bed may be lowered to rest upon the frame orsupport.

12. In a machine of the character described, a dough-box, feedrollstherein, and

junction with bed, oscillatory arms, a-

roller carried by said arms to be oscillated back and forth over saidbed, cam mechanism whereby said roller is lowered for one stroke andelevated for the reverse stroke, and independent adjustable stops associated with the arms for limiting the down ward movement of said roller,whereby angular adjustment of said roller as to its lowered position maybe efiected.

JOHN J. LINDEN.

\Vitnesses J. F. BRANDENBURG, VJHITEFIELD SAMMIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for Washington, D. G.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

